Short answer
It depends on the size of the jet. With passengers, bags and fuel reserves, a light jet typically flies about 1,400 nautical miles (about 1,600 miles) nonstop, a midsize jet about 2,000 nm, a super-midsize about 3,000 nm (coast to coast or New York to London in good conditions), a heavy jet about 4,000 nm and an ultra-long-range jet 6,000 nm or more (New York to Tokyo). Headwinds, heavy loads and high or hot airports reduce those numbers.
Range is usually the first thing that narrows down which jet fits your trip. Our cost calculator only shows aircraft that can fly your route nonstop, using the same numbers as the table below.
Nonstop Range by Jet Size
These are practical ranges with passengers, bags and required fuel reserves, not the brochure maximums.
| Jet size | Typical nonstop range | Example trip |
|---|---|---|
| Turboprop | About 900 nm (1,000 mi) | Short regional hops such as New York to Nantucket |
| Very light jet | About 1,000 nm (1,150 mi) | New York to Miami (949 nm), with little margin |
| Light jet | About 1,400 nm (1,600 mi) | New York to Dallas (1,191 nm) |
| Midsize jet | About 2,000 nm (2,300 mi) | New York to Aspen (1,502 nm) |
| Super-midsize jet | About 3,000 nm (3,450 mi) | New York to Los Angeles (2,129 nm) |
| Heavy jet | About 4,000 nm (4,600 mi) | New York to London (2,986 nm) with room to spare |
| Ultra-long-range jet | 6,000 nm or more (6,900+ mi) | New York to Tokyo (5,831 nm) |
Distances are great-circle distances between the main private airports, such as Teterboro and Van Nuys.
What Shortens Range
- Wind. Flying west across the US or the Atlantic usually means headwinds. A trip that works nonstop eastbound may need a fuel stop westbound.
- Weight. More passengers and bags mean less fuel can be carried.
- High and hot airports. At Aspen or on a hot day in Las Vegas, thin air limits takeoff weight, so a jet may leave with less fuel.
- Short runways. A short runway can limit how heavy the aircraft can be on takeoff.
- Reserves and alternates. Every flight carries extra fuel to reach an alternate airport; bad weather at the destination means more.
Is a Fuel Stop a Problem?
Not usually. A quick stop at a private terminal takes about 30 to 45 minutes, and choosing a smaller jet with a stop can cost much less than a larger jet nonstop. For long trips, we quote both so you can choose.
Planning a trip? See prices for every aircraft that fits, before you share any contact details.
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